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Webster's New World College Dictionary » diminutive
diminutive
diminutive definition
di·minu·tive (də min′yo̵̅o̅ tiv, -yə-)
adjective
- much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny
- Gram. expressing smallness or diminution a diminutive suffix or name
Etymology: ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, diminish
noun
- a very small person or thing
- a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin)
- such a suffix
Related Forms:
- diminutively di·min′u·tively adverb
- diminutiveness di·min′u·tive·ness noun
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